Hawaiian Reef Marine Life Photo Gallery

Spotted Pufferfish

Arothon meleagris

Spotted pufferfish are often seen on the coral reefs of Hawaii. They will first try to swim from danger, hiding in our under coral if possible, failing that, they puff up to become difficult to swallow. Pufferfish contain tetraodotoxin a strong neurotoxin produced by a bacteria called Alteromonas tetraodonis. It is illegal in Hawaii to serve commercially prepared pufferfish, a delicacy known as “fugu” in Japan which must be prepared by specially trained and licensed chefs due to the inherent danger from the toxin.